A renowned poet by the name of E.E Cummings once said, “Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” What he meant by this statement was that many people fail to achieve their full potential – not because they lack resources and opportunities – but because they lack confidence in themselves and what they are capable of.
Experiencing doubt is common for professionals, entrepreneurs included. The problem is, when you don’t believe in yourself or your ideas, you end up getting stuck in one place, and many opportunities can pass you by as a result. Conversely, being confident in your career can help you reach milestones you never thought possible.
While confidence may come naturally for some people, others have to push a little harder to develop it. Here are a few tips to help you regain your confidence:
Surround yourself with positive people
Studies have long proven that surrounding yourself with positive people can significantly impact your moods, attitude, and confidence. Take a moment to think about how the people you hang around make you feel; do they inspire you or pull you down? Do they judge you all the time? Assessing your company, be it friends or business partners, can help determine whether they positively impact your life.
Surround yourself with people who support and motivate you to be better. Being with people who have your interests at heart is sure to boost your confidence in your job and personal life as well. More importantly, be careful with what you consume, including what you watch, eat and drink, and who you engage on social media.
Stop comparing yourself to others
Whether it is salary, career progress, or social status, comparing yourself to others can make you feel as if you are underachieving in life. Social comparison theory explains that while making comparisons is a normal human trait, it can have a negative impact on your self-confidence and generally the way you feel about yourself.
When you find yourself comparing yourself to others, remind yourself that everybody is living their own life and there is no competition. Also, think about your strengths, success, and the progress you have made in life. You can even keep a gratitude journal to record all the positive things that have happened in your life.
Take care of your body
Taking care of yourself is essential for several reasons, including improving your confidence. There are several ways to take care of your body:
• Diet – Fueling your body with nutrient-filled foods can make you feel energized, healthier, and happier, which makes you more confident.
• Exercise – Keeping fit through physical exercise improves your body image, which can, in turn, improve your confidence.
• Meditation – Meditation improves your confidence in many ways; for example, it helps to eliminate negative self-talk that often eats up your confidence. It also helps you to accept yourself the way you are as you work towards being a better person.
• Sleep – Sleeping for the required number of hours every day has been linked with optimism and self-confidence.
Face your fears
It is natural to have a little self-doubt as an entrepreneur because of the uncertainties associated with the field. But being afraid of failure only prevents you from realizing your potential. A helpful way to build your confidence is to face your fears head-on. In any case, we all learn from failures and not from getting stuck in our comfort zones. This time around, try new challenges, no matter how difficult they seem. This will surely make you more resilient and confident.
The takeaway
Remember that as your confidence rises, so do satisfaction, fulfillment, and success. Make a resolve to quit doubting yourself, and you will be surprised by how confidence can positively impact every aspect of your life.
